Description
Executive Director – Provisional
Project Safe, Inc.
POSITION SUMMARY
Project Safe serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Oklahoma’s Pottawatomie and Lincoln counties. The Executive Director provides overall leadership and direction for the agency, overseeing day-to-day operations while advancing the organization’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. This role is responsible for fund development, financial stewardship, staff leadership, community engagement, and maintaining strong relationships with the Board of Directors, funders, partners, and stakeholders. As the most visible representative of the organization, the Executive Director embodies Project Safe’s values and commitment to survivor-centered, trauma-informed services.
This position is classified as full-time, exempt, with a salary range of $65,000–$80,000, commensurate with experience, and includes health, dental, and vision insurance options with a set health insurance stipend. The role is considered provisional and includes a 90-day probationary period with a three-tier evaluation by the Board of Directors, agency staff, and selected volunteers, followed by quarterly evaluations during the first year if approved.
JOB FUNCTIONS
Leadership and Operations
The Executive Director leads and manages the day-to-day operations of the agency while fostering alignment across programs, staff, and organizational priorities. This individual clearly articulates Project Safe’s mission, vision, values, strategy, and direction, and ensures that these guide decision-making at all levels of the organization. The Executive Director cultivates a culture of respect, empowerment, accountability, and collaboration, ensuring staff feel supported and aligned with the organization’s goals.
Fundraising and Resource Development
The Executive Director is responsible for creating and sustaining the conditions for fundraising success by establishing a compelling vision, developing materials and messaging, and fostering enthusiasm and shared ownership of fundraising efforts among board and staff. This role builds a strong culture of fundraising in which the organization’s story is communicated clearly and effectively to donors, funders, and the broader community. The Executive Director oversees grant development and management at the federal, state, and local levels and ensures compliance with all grant requirements.
Board Relations and Governance
Working in close partnership with the Board of Directors, the Executive Director supports board operations, planning, and information sharing. This includes strengthening board functions such as meetings, committee work, and policy compliance, as well as keeping the board informed of legislative actions and issues relevant to agency services. The Executive Director serves as a key resource to the board, helping to ensure effective governance and strategic leadership.
Financial Management
The Executive Director provides sound financial stewardship and oversight for the organization. This includes developing and managing the annual budget, monitoring cash flow and expenditures, and ensuring adherence to financial controls and compliance requirements. The Executive Director demonstrates competence in understanding and interpreting financial documents, including budgets, income statements, balance sheets, and statements of functional expenses, and is familiar with audits, 990 tax returns, and grant-related financial reporting. This role oversees payroll, insurance, and bookkeeping functions and ensures an annual professional audit is conducted.
Human Resources and Staff Development
The Executive Director is responsible for ensuring excellence in recruitment, onboarding, retention, supervision, and professional development of staff. This includes establishing clear roles and job descriptions, delegating effectively, and fostering collaborative and inclusive work practices. The Executive Director conducts regular staff meetings, case reviews, training, and annual performance evaluations in accordance with agency policy, while supporting staff growth and maintaining compliance with all applicable employment laws and regulations.
Programs and Service Delivery
The Executive Director ensures that Project Safe’s programs and activities effectively advance the organization’s mission and achieve desired outcomes. This role assesses the effectiveness of existing programs and leads the development, implementation, modification, or discontinuation of services as needed. The Executive Director ensures the organization’s strategic vision is clearly understood by both internal and external stakeholders and deploys staff resources effectively. As needed, the Executive Director may provide direct services, including crisis intervention, advocacy, transportation, or other support when staff are unavailable.
Community Relations and Advocacy
The Executive Director develops and maintains strong relationships within the nonprofit sector and the broader community, including donors, partners, governmental agencies, peers, and the media. This role builds strategic alliances and collaborates transparently with other organizations to advance shared goals. The Executive Director remains open to accountability from stakeholders and represents Project Safe as a trusted, credible leader in the region.
Compliance, Facilities, and Best Practices
The Executive Director ensures the organization remains in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and funding requirements. This includes writing, interpreting, and implementing agency policies and procedures and ensuring facilities are maintained in accordance with state and regulatory standards. The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing facility operations and maintenance and for ensuring the agency meets or exceeds best practices and professional standards within the field.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
The ideal candidate holds a bachelor’s degree, with a master’s degree preferred, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The Executive Director must demonstrate a strong understanding of nonprofit organizations and the nonprofit sector, including fund development, grant writing and administration, and public and private funding sources. Significant managerial experience is required, with a proven ability to build and lead collaborative, high-performing teams.
Candidates should possess strong relationship-building skills and be highly effective in working with donors, sponsors, partners, community leaders, governmental entities, and the general public. Knowledge of the dynamics and impact of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence is essential. The Executive Director must be skilled in program development, implementation, and evaluation, with an emphasis on outcomes, metrics, and performance goals. Strong written and verbal communication skills, professionalism, integrity, self-direction, and proficiency with Microsoft Office and related technologies are required. Professional references are required.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
This position requires the ability to remain in a stationary position for extended periods, including driving long distances to meet with clients and partners, and occasionally lifting items weighing up to 25 pounds. The Executive Director must be available for on-call rotation, including overnight and weekend shifts, and regularly use computers and standard office equipment. Clear and effective communication is essential, particularly in crisis situations, as is the ability to manage and prioritize work independently.
APPLICANTS: Please submit a cover letter, resume and three references to: info@projectsafeok.com with the subject line "Executive Director Application". Any applications missing these items will not be considered.
